What We Used To

Chapter 4

M i k h a

"Good Morning, Love!" I greeted her. I got a lot of energy today because of excitement. I prepared something for Aiah and I hope she'll like it.

Nagising ako ng maaga para puntahan si Aiah ngayong araw since weekend naman. Wala ang parents niya today dahil sa isang business trip. Kilala naman na ako ng mga katulong at parang bahay ko na rin 'to simula pa dati kaya pinadiretso na nila ako sa second floor kung nasaan ang kwarto ni Aiah. I knocked at her door and here she is now, with a woke up like this face opening the door for me.

"Good Morning," she greeted back. She kissed me on my cheek before letting me enter her room.

"Ang ganda mo pa rin kahit bagong gising," I told her, admiring her beauty. I mean, sinong hindi? She's effortlessly gorgeous. What should I expect? She came from a family of beauty queens. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung bakit hindi na siya sumasali sa mga pageants ngayon when she's uses to doing that before. I understand, though, maybe she realized that it's not what she wants to do.

"Bola," she took a few seconds before responding dahil inaayos niya ang higaan niya. Kagigising lang siguro talaga niya pagdating ko.

"I'm stating a fact, love. Even if you're not, you're still beautiful in my eyes." I told her.

She walked towards me while I was sitting on the couch on the corner and sat beside me. She suddenly gave me a hug.

"Any problem?" I asked.

"Wala naman, baka gusto mo lang ng yakap kasi nambobola ka eh." She joked.

"Hindi naman pero pwede na rin." I also wrapped my hands around her. We stayed like this for a few minutes and it felt safe. She's my safe haven, my home, my sanctuary of peace. She is, and I hope I am hers too.

"Okay, done with this. Maliligo na ako para makapunta na tayo sa kung saan man tayo pupunta." Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya at tumayo na rin siya para magtungo sa bathroom niya.

I just scrolled on my phone habang hinihintay siyang matapos sa ginagawa. I suddenly saw a picture of two couples having a prenup photoshoot. They look so in love in the future. I wonder if Aiah and I would be in that position in the near future. I hope so.

I'm suddenly becoming emotional so I scrolled it up and look for some funny memes to divert my attention. Pagkatapos ng mahigit 30 minutes ay lumabas na si Aiah na nakabihis pero basa pa ang buhok.

She smiled at me before sitting on her dresser. I walked towards her and offered to dry her hair using the blower.

"Love," I broke the silence between us. "Kapag tinangay tayo ng hangin sa magkaibang direksyon, I hope we're still going to find each other."

I have doubts, always. Gaano ko man pigilan ay naiisip ko pa rin ito paminsan-minsan. Natatakot ako sa mga posibilidad pero wala naman akong magagawa kundi maging masaya at kuntento dahil hindi pa namin binibitawan ang isa't isa.

"I hope so, too." She replied. Tinapos ko na ang pagpapatuyo sa buhok niya habang nagme-make up siya. Palagi kong sinasabi sa kaniyang hindi naman niya kailangan 'yon dahil maganda siya pero nagpa-pout lang siya bilang tugon.

After fixing herself and her things, umalis na kami ng bahay nila. As usual, I am the driver. She knows how to drive pero I always insist na ako na lang because I always want to make sure that she's safe. She's not a reckless driver, though.

"Saan tayo? I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Let's grab some brunch." She said.

Tumango ako, "I know a place, for sure nami-miss mo na 'yon."